Every Other Day Dieting

Hollycat

I'm back at it again. [Thanks Kim Benson for the inspiration - read her book recently]. This time [sigh], after years of trying to figure out what works for me and what doesn't, I'm going to try a version of dieting every other day and I'm interested in hearing from others how that particular approach has worked for them.

I find that if I keep my calories around the same everyday, I stall/plateau fairly quickly - usually within 3 weeks. My survival mechanism is super-human - as soon as my body figures out I'm dieting, it goes into starvation mode. It's been very frustrating. Dieting is one of the things I blamed over the years for becoming sooo big. At one point, I gained weight eating 1400 calories a day.

To make a long story short, through trial and error I've finally figured out/accepted that I 1) must exercise at least 3 or 4 times a week for at least 20 minutes; 2) eating the same things everyday and the same caloric value leads to a plateau that can last months; and 3) whether I like it or not, I must plan. Period.

I am hypothyroid, which means my metabolism is slower than average. No, I'm not delusional and I'm not whining. It's a fact. I take pills for it - 125 mcg natural dessicated thyroid a day. My BMR is about 2100-2200 calories a day. I figure if I 'trick' my body into thinking it's getting enough food to maintain that BMR, I'll lose more consistently. So...to that end, I need to eat 1800 calories a day to lose about .9 pounds a week. If I want to lose more [which I do - who doesn't?], I'll have to make sure my exercise is consistent and burn another 500 calories a day X 7 to lose another pound. I probably won't make that particular goal, as I know my max is about 25 minutes, 4 times a week. After that, I feel like I'm in a bad movie, I get cranky and I give up. 4X a week and I feel good. Quite good, really.

My plan is to eat 1800-2000 calories every other day and 1200 calories every other day and exercise 4X a week, burning about 300 calories each workout. I figure with my crappy metabolism, I should be able to keep the fires burning and I should consistently lose about 1.5 lbs./week. Does that sound reasonable? Am I out to lunch?

BTW, G2 orange is salty salty salty. Thought I'd buy myself some 20-cal G2 for a treat. Blech. Not my cup of tea. It's soon to be fish food.

Hollycat

reallivefitness

I have no experience with this, but to me, a calorie deficit is a calorie deficit. Assuming that on the days you are eating more that you aren't just eating more crap to fill the extra calories, your plan should work. I know that when I don't mix it up, I get cranky and bored and I'm more likely to have a super awful day, that could have been avoided by just having the piece of pizza I wanted earlier.

So that's my two cents on it...

FluttershySweetie

Your approach sounds alot like a post that was on here from someone else explaining caloric zigzagging.... I would assume it works and by word of mouth I heard it is actually quite effective.... good luck!!!!

jaydensmommy2010

I know how you feel since I am hypothyroid also. I have been dieting for 2 months, eating 1400-1500 cals and exercising. I was eating healthy also. I did not lose a single pound. I went off the wagon for about 2 weeks, and ate whatever, and lost 5-6lbs. I can't explain why this happened. I am still down the 6 lbs and have not gained it back. Also, I am on my cycle, and I am still 6 lbs lighter. ( sorry TMI) When I was eating healthy, and the same thing daily, I didn't lose anything. Also I was exercising more during those 2 months (about 5-6 days a week) and now I am doing about 4 days a week and managed to lose weight with out even trying. Like I said before I stuck to a diet for 2 months with nothing so I don't really know....

Hollycat

Glad to hear I'm not alone. It's maddening. Just when you think you've got it licked....scale stops moving for no reason or worse, goes up. Makes me nutso.

I am really hoping the every other day idea is the answer for us hypothyroid girls. I'll try to remember to keep you posted. Let me know how things go for you.

Hollycat

jaydensmommy2010

Glad to hear I'm not alone. It's maddening. Just when you think you've got it licked....scale stops moving for no reason or worse, goes up. Makes me nutso.

I am really hoping the every other day idea is the answer for us hypothyroid girls. I'll try to remember to keep you posted. Let me know how things go for you.

Hollycat

I know it is so frustrating. My weight loss never even started til I got mad and ate whatever for a week, then I stepped on the scale and lost like 3 lbs I was shocked!! Then the next week I lost another 3. I definitely can't explain why this happened!!

therealangd

I think it's a good plan. You are still creating a deficit even on your 1800-2000 cal days based on your BMR, so that's good too.
The only other thing to consider is how your body may react to working out on your 1200 calorie days leaving your net below what MFP says is an unhealthy range. You may get agitated, cranky etc. Just something to think about.

Hollycat

jaydensmommy,

I think hypothyroid bodies are particularly tuned in to the starvation response. My theory is that as long as the body thinks there's more food around the corner, because of evidence that every other day, it's going to get well fed, it's going to tell itself it's okay to let go of the pounds on the 'diet' days. I'm hoping this is the case.

It's kind of weird planning for a 1200 calorie day, then an 1800 calorie day. Oddly, I find it hard to fill up the 1800 calorie day. Not that that's EVER a problem when I'm not dieting...again, planning is something I just have to accept as part of my life from now on. It can't be a temporary thing. I've only got 30 years left and I've already killed 30 by not planning, so what've I got to lose? About 100 pounds. Hopefully, this will work.

Hollycat

Hollycat

Very good point. I usually exercise on weekdays only, because we have a gym at work [very fortunate] and I go hell bent for leather on the elliptical trainer for about 20 minutes every morning instead of taking coffee breaks. So far it's worked for me, but that might be something I'll have to switch up too. I'll keep it in mind.

Thanks therealangd!

Hollycat